Generation Z and Their Learning in a Digitally Driven World
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55707/ds-po.v40i3-4.200Keywords:
generation Z, digital natives, educational challenges, technology in education, gamification, personalized learning, FOMOAbstract
The aim of this paper is to explore the educational challenges and opportunities in teaching Generation Z, the first generation of “digital natives” who have been exposed to digital technology from an early age. Generation Z exhibits unique learning characteristics, including a shortened attention span, multitasking, and a strong preference for visual and interactive media, which necessitate adjustments to the traditional pedagogical approaches. This paper analyses how technology impacts their learning, with an emphasis on the implementation of personalized learning and gamification as key strategies for increasing student engagement. Additionally, it examines the role of social media and online platforms in the educational process and how these technologies facilitate collaborative learning. The paper also addresses the negative effects of constant connectivity, such as FOMO (fear of missing out) and social anxiety, and highlights the importance of developing pedagogical strategies to address these challenges. Based on the research, guidelines are proposed to improve pedagogical methods in order to better meet the needs of Generation Z students and enhance their learning experience in a digitally driven world.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Marjan Marino Ninčević, Dunja Jurić Vukelić
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